Sunday, January 29, 2012

With all the technology in this world, you would think they would have found a real cure. Not just a "treatment".

My father in law was diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer three years ago. This is a cancer mostly caused by being in an environment where you are breathing asbestos. A silent killer that takes 25-35 years to show up and when it does, it is usually too late.

My in-laws started out their young life with little money in the 1950's. He wanted to provide his family with a home and security. He bought a house under construction that he could complete himself while they lived in the basement. In those days, most products contained asbestos in the drywall, compound, siding, shingles, etc. He breathed that silent killer in the air...

So my father in law is dying from a cancer he got trying to do the right thing for his family. He is a strong man that never smoked, rarely drank and always went to church. They raised 4 children, put them through Catholic school on a very small single income. They went on one big vacation to the lake EVERY year. He took his sons and daughter hunting/fishing and taught them how to be strong.

He has been receiving chemo treatments for 3 years. He has continued his way of life for those 3 years. Still hunting, fishing and camping. Now it comes down to bronchitis that turned into pneumonia. It has weakened his body to the point that it can't fight anymore.

Now he struggles to breathe in his hospital room while we watch. He is still laughing and telling stories...with an oxygen mask on.

How long can this continue? No one knows for sure. Will he be here for his 80th birthday on February 9th that we had planned to give him a party? We don't know. One thing I do know is that since he can't come to the party, we are bringing the party to him!

He touches so many lives. He never knows a stranger. He always tries to do the right thing.

He is a man of INTEGRITY!

Here is my father in law with my husband and our two sons. Tell me, does this man look like he is fighting cancer and going to be 80 years old???? He is an awesome roll model for his grandsons!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

I have been wanting to create a mood board for our Master Bedroom. I went online and read many sites about how to create one. I ended up using Picasa and the collage feature because it was free and pretty simple.

First I need to show you what I am starting with in our Master Bedroom. Don't judge...it is plain and always last on the list to get any help! The lamps were just temporary to see if the height would work. Most everything is going except my frenchy blue chest!
Thank goodness you can't see the 1991 back to the future hunter green ceiling fan!

Here is the beginning of my mood board plan for 2012 in the Master Bedroom:

The zebra print fabric I chose coordinates better than this picture. I have a ways to go but seeing it together really helps to move me along with my decorating!

It is just the one wall for now. I have to find a table like that, make the zebra bench from a coffee table and finish the padded headboard.

You know that I have to do everything on a strict budget. I have been purchasing items for over two years now. That is more patience than I normally have but there just isn't much money!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Are you able to see the good that God does from the bad that happens in this world?

At times, it's not easy to step back and look at a situation to see the good. We get caught up in the bad and can't see it. Although I believe with all my heart that He does bring good from bad, at times I have to remind myself of this and focus on the good. Otherwise the bad will bring me down and I will stop looking for the good in the world.

Would you be able to believe that someone could use this beautiful child for evil?

It is so true and this brings me to a wonderful blogger that I met whose name is Lou Lynn. You may know her from the blog "The Life of Loulou" She has an amazing story of the evil of this world and how God has empowered her through faith.

Here she is with her husband, Andrew.

Here are their beautiful children! Two biological boys and two adoptive girls.

The Lord has called them to try and adopt again to add to this beautiful family. She shares the struggles of many failed adoptions on her blog as well as other things.

This latest struggle with evil is of the woman below preying on the emotions of those who desperately want to adopt and she is using the picture of the baby above. It is just unbelievable.

What is even more unbelievable is how Lou Lynn has handled herself in the face of evil.She opened her heart to the Lord and He gave her the power to make it through.

Please take the time to stop by her blog and read her STORY of God's love in the midst of evil. He continues to shape their lives and mine.

I am linking this post to Inspiration Friday. I feel it is a story worth sharing and quite an inspiration for us all.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Two posts in one week is a record for me over this last year! We'll see if I can keep this up!

My co-worker purchased a sofa that had matching throw pillows. Since the pillows were the same fabric as the sofa (taupe color), there was no contrast. I forgot to take pictures of the pillows but it was something like this picture from Ashley Furniture.
She looked for new pillows but couldn't find anything she liked as much as fabric she found but she doesn't sew. I told her I could make pillow covers for her easily in just a few hours. I forgot to take a picture of just the fabric so pretend that these aren't already made pillows and table runner!
Can you tell that I haven't been blogging in a long time! I can't remember to take pictures!

Anyway, the fabric was very thick and wanted to unravel. I did a lot of zigzag stitching on the seam edges hoping that will prevent any problems. I set them up on my sofa to take pictures and think I want them now!!

I think they turned out great. I even had enough fabric left over to make her a table runner. I had black cotton fabric left over from some other project so I cut out the backing and attached it. Turned it right side out and sewed a top stitching around the edge. I hope she likes it!

Here they are all together again!

I am so excited about how they turned out and I can't wait to take them to work tomorrow! Amazing what a few hours can do to save you money!

I am linking up to the following parties:

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by to leave me comments! I have missed everyone so much!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Thank you, fellow blogger friends, for all the support and encouragement during this long break. Trying to get back into a work routine after being home for a couple months with my broken foot has been tough. This last year has been full of changes and it seems my free time has been devoted to cooking and cleaning instead of decorating projects! I am trying to find some balance. For those of you that work outside the home and keep your blogs full of interest are amazing to me. A blog alone can be a full time job!

Over one weekend, we decided to do a clean out of the duct work for the dryer vent. Dryers are known to cause fires and since I have to use mine while no one is home, we knew it was time. Mr. Creative and our sons moved the washer and dryer out. Scary what you find behind and under these appliances!! Yuck!! I can't believe I am showing everyone this mess. This was only from 1 year.

The laundry room was getting cluttered as it is the entry from the garage. Things seem to get laid and hung in here so Mom can find a place for everything. Over time, it gets to be too much!!

We purchased a fancy vent sweeper that attaches to a drill and cleans out the duct in a circular motion. After "sweeping" the duct, Mr. Creative took the air hose on the air compressor and was able to blow all of the loosened lint to the outside.

While everything was out, I went to town cleaning from ceiling to floor with some good smelling cleaner!! I even took off the floor vent and cleaned what I could reach in the duct! Mr. Creative took the dryer apart and cleaned all the lint that was around the motor and in the bottom. After putting it back together, I was ready for the set to be moved back in place.

Looks so much better and it is so good to know it is all clean and organized!!

I wonder how long it will stay like this????

As you can see, it is time to do some laundry!

Thank you again for your sweet emails and comments over the last few months. It is amazing how people you have never met can make such difference in your life! Have a wonderful day!

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About My Blog!

I started this blog as a way of learning and sharing creativity in decorating on a budget! If you want to know more about me, click on the "About Me" tab above! Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!